Why do Catholics pray to different saints?

Question

Why do Catholics pray to different saints or do novenas to hear their prayers? Isn't God the ever powerful of all?

Answer 1

They ask the Saints to pray for them as Intercessors on their behalf. yes, God is the ever all powerful. But it is like this, if I were to ask you to pray for me. they are asking the Saints to pray for them. They are not worshiping the Saints. They are simply asking the Saints to pray them on their behalf. we really need to practice more tolerance for other peoples beliefs on this forum. I am speaking of some of the other answerers, not the questioner. I am not a Catholic BTW - I am a Protestant Baptist. We are all believers in Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. we are all One Body!

J.P. is in agreement with me.

Answer 2

Why do you ask your best friend to pray with you? Is it not to give all glory to God? It is the same difference. If it helps, consider 'prayer' and 'worship' to be defined as thus: 'prayer' is communicating with those in heaven, 'worship' is that which is reserved for God alone. When a Catholic prays to a saint, he/she is saying, "Hey, Saint So-and-So. Your example shows you've faced what I'm going through. The Bible says the Body of Christ is to support each other, and that where two are gathered, so will you be with me and worship God with me in my concern?" It's literally no different than picking up your cell phone to call your mom and saying, "Mom, I'm in trouble, will you pray with me?" and then saying a prayer. A statue of a saint would be nothing more than you pulling out photograph of your mom while you were making that cell phone call.

Answer 3

back up never hurts! there are numerous Saints in the Rcc that have given us wonderful examples of how to lead a fully Christian life. we, however, often fall short. we pray to the Saint and ask them to interceed/pray for us as well. as a child did you ever have your brother or sister go with you to "back you up" when going to your parents for something?! we are told in revelations about those who are waiting under the altar - they are the Saints and they are closest to God in the heavens.
novena's are different in the case they are usually a 9 day firm committment. if you look at the novena of Divine Mercy - it's prayed with varying things to focus upon each day glorifying Jesus' Divine Mercy and praying for those in need. it's generally done at the same time -- it's a self sacrificing way to show God -- yes Sir, i can stop everything at this time and dedicate myself fully to you for this prayer. novena's are also a way to be able to get many people together praying with the same voice and heart for a common need.
God IS the most powerful. God has given us these loving Saints as examples. they were His helpers while they lived on this earth and continue to do so in heaven.

Answer 4

Prayer is offered to a person in two ways: first, as to be fulfilled by him, secondly, as to be obtained through him. On the first way we offer prayer to God alone, since all our prayers ought to be directed to the acquisition of grace and glory, which God alone gives, according to Psalm 83:12, "The Lord will give grace and glory." But in the second way we pray to the saints, whether angels or men, not that God may through them know our petitions, but that our prayers may be effective through their prayers and merits. Hence it is written (Apocalypse 8:4) that "the smoke of the incense," namely "the prayers of the saints ascended up before God." This is also clear from the very style employed by the Church in praying: since we beseech the Blessed Trinity "to have mercy on us," while we ask any of the saints "to pray for us."

Answer 5

When the Roman Emperor Constantine forced Christianity on the Roman Empire, he established the Roman Church over the structure of the old Roman religion so that it would be accepted by the peasants more readily. The old Roman religion had local and household gods called "Laertes" which became the saints in the new Christian religion which came to be called the Catholic Church.

Answer 6

why do you go to a lawyer for justice instead you could meet the prime minister.
why do you go to a teacher with a problem instead meet the principal.
if you get what i am trying to tell is that these saints are closer to god and they act as a communicator between god and man.
they pray to god on behalf of us and their prayer is more effective because they are saints unlike us human beings who are sinners.
god will never refuse their prayer where as a direct prayer to god will be less effective depending upon our deeds and actions ,whether we have attained forgiveness from god in the first place.

Answer 7

Catholics share the belief in the Communion of Saints with many other Christians, including the Eastern Orthodox, Anglican, Episcopal, and Methodist Churches.

The Communion of Saints is the belief where all saints are intimately related in the Body of Christ, a family. When you die and go to heaven, you do not leave this family.

Everyone in heaven or on their way to heaven are saints, you, me, my deceased grandmother, Mary the mother of Jesus, and Mother Teresa.

As part of this family, you may ask your family and friends here on earth to pray for you. Or, you may also ask the Blessed Virgin Mary, Saint Andrew, or your deceased grandmother in heaven to pray for you.

Prayer to saints in heaven is simple communication, not worship.

With love in Christ.

Answer 8

It's an antique use to pray a Holy person not only in Catholic religion.

Answer 9

Yer i know they make you sick don't they i was raised a catholic..and all they do is brainwash and drum it into your head from an early age that god is the almighty Not true in all cases unfortunately.. These people are sad and need help

Answer 10

You're right! That's why I don't agree with Catholicism! They have all these saints when they can use Jesus to get to God!